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Operator: Hello everyone and welcome to today's NTRA Road to the Triple Crown teleconference. This call is being recorded.
For opening remarks and introductions, I would like to turn the call over to Mr. Eric Wing with NTRA. Mr. Wing, please go ahead.
Eric Wing: Thank you, Anola and welcome indeed everybody to today's NTRA communications national teleconference. As per usual, we'll have both a transcript and a podcast up of today's proceedings some time tomorrow at NTRA.com.
Well it was a memorable 135th Kentucky Derby and no less likely that the 134th Preakness will also be very memorable. A little bit later on, we'll check in with the Derby winning trainer, Chip Woolley. He has got Mine That Bird pointing to the second jewel of the Triple Crown. We'll also talk to trainer David Fawkes who has a new shooter in this year's Triple Crown campaign in Big Drama. Big Drama having finished first in six straight races.
But first though, we are pleased to welcome in the trainer of the fourth place finisher in the recently run Kentucky Derby the trainer of Papa Clem, Gary Stute.
Gary Stute, it is Eric Wing in New York thanks for being on the call with today.
Gary Stute: Thank you.
Eric Wing: Gary, first question I have; your horse ran great on Saturday. Finished fourth but beaten just a head and a nose for second. Do you think the wet track on Derby day helped or hurt Papa Clem?
Gary Stute: To be honest, I do not think it helps or hurts him to be honest with you. I mean both of his races on the off track have been good but he was beat probably seven lengths in both of them but to be honest, I do not think it hurts him but I definitely do not think it moves him up.
Eric Wing: OK, so the jury is still out on that one. Gary, you were, after the Derby, you were one of the very first trainers to commit your horse for the Preakness. What was it about Papa Clem after the race or during the race maybe that made you so sure that a trip to Maryland made good sense for him?
Gary Stute: Well I just thought with a little racing like I could have very easily been second and coming into the Derby and out of the Derby my horse is 100% sound so to me, there was no question about running back in the Preakness.
Eric Wing: All right well, Gary, we've got a number of racing writers and broadcasters on the line with us, so at this point, I will turn the proceedings back over to Anola and we'll see what questions the media have for you.
Gary Stute: OK, great.
Operator: We'll take our first question is from Ken Murray with the Baltimore Sun.
Ken Murray: Hi Gary. I'm interested in what you think about the shooters that are already coming and how you think that may affect the race. How it would impact you know those horses, three of the top four right now are from the Derby are coming back, I wonder what dynamic there is with the shooters coming in?
Gary Stute: I mean to be honest, I felt pretty confident after the Derby. I thought the Preakness would be a perfect distance for my horse and to be honest, my dad's two for two. He won the Preakness and the Dixie there, so so far in Baltimore the Stutes are undefeated. And Kentucky, we haven't fared near as well but then after reading the news about Jess Jackson buying that filly, that wasn't that best of news to me personally.
Ken Murray: Do you feel that the shooters will play a roll or do you think there is, you know, the balance factor and everything else. How do you feel you will come back to this and how do you think the shooters may influence how this race goes?
Gary Stute: I mean speaking for me, you know, most of my horses are claiming horses and most of them are used to running back in 2 weeks so to be honest, I have been kind of anxious to try to run this horse back in 2 weeks because I am a firm believer, a lot of people think running a horse back too soon is usually a bad sign and to me in the past, I found it if I run a horse back in like 7 to 10 days, it's usually the best race. It's the third race I worry about not the second one right back, so I don't foresee it being any problem him coming back in 2 weeks and…
Ken Murray: OK.
Gary Stute: … as for the other trainers, I could not speak for.
Ken Murray: OK, thank you.
Operator: We'll take our next question from Tom Pedulla with USA Today.
Tom Pedulla: Yeah, I just wanted to get your take on the Derby champion. I mean I think a lot of the public is just confused, those of us in the media are confused; I mean, do you actually have to see it again to believe in the horse or are you somewhat confused about how that happened? Not only the win but the margin?
Gary Stute: I mean to be honest, you know, I was probably like everyone else, I, you know, I was a little skeptical of his chances going in but I will tell you what, he was much, much the best that day whether it was the slop that improved him but maybe just the right ride because to be honest, I don't very few jockeys would have enough confidence to take a horse that far behind the second to last horse and make that run, to be honest. I just think it was the superior training job and a superior ride. Personally, I'm hoping it was the mud, but like I said he ran awesome.
Tom Pedulla: OK thank you.
Operator: Once again, that is star 1 to ask a question. We will take our next question from Scott Hazelton with HRTV.
Scott Hazelton: Hi Gary. You spoke of the fact that you really looking forward to running him back in 2 weeks and you're excited about that but what are your thoughts or any worry in running three difficult races really in just a little over a month?
Gary Stute: Well to be honest, I've never really thought about it cause most of my horses I usually don't think of giving 3 or 4 weeks off in between races to be honest. But you know, he hasn't had to do it so far, but I mean like I said he was fighting and kicking after the race. I mean I know he lays down his body every race and he gives 100% but he just seems to spring back quick.
In fact when I went to the barn, finally got back to the barn after the Derby, I mean, he seemed, that's the maddest I've seen him. He must've know he got beat a close one cause he was lunging at the ((inaudible)) and trying to bite and ((inaudible)) feet ((inaudible)) looked good.
Scott Hazelton: What about his schedule leading up to the Preakness?
Gary Stute: Planning on vanning him over Saturday hopefully. Walking him Sunday, ((inaudible)) Monday ((inaudible)) on Tuesday. Are you there?
Scott Hazelton: Yes, I am here. That is it. I am done.
Gary Stute: All right.
Operator: We will take our next question from Larry Bortstein with Orange County Register.
Larry Bortstein: Gary, thanks for being on the call this morning. The horse is going to go directly from Churchill to Pimlico is that correct?
Gary Stute: Yeah.
Larry Bortstein: OK and what about the possibility that the filly might run in the Preakness; how would that impact the race? I know it is a, he hasn't committed to filly yet, but what do you think that would do to the Preakness?
Gary Stute: To be honest, it really disappointed me cause after the Derby I thought I had one heck of a shot in the Preakness but to be honest, I think that filly is in a different world than the rest of us. I know I was trying to convince Bob Baffert this morning to enter another horse because if we get 14 entries, she'll be on the sidelines, but he seemed to think she didn't beat much but trust me, I saw her running in Louisiana, Arkansas and there and she is something spectacular.
Larry Bortstein: Yes, and of course the winner, the Derby winner would probably lose his jockey because ((inaudible)) right?
Gary Stute: Yes, probably not too many times in the history of this sport has a jockey not rode the Derby winner back in the Preakness.
Larry Bortstein: Exactly, yeah.
Gary Stute: So I am hoping that he gets to ride the Derby winner back cause that means that the filly will be on the sidelines.
Larry Bortstein: Good luck in getting the second Preakness for the Stute family?
Gary Stute: ((inaudible)) yes.
Larry Bortstein: See you, later.
Operator: We will take our next question from David Grening with Daily Racing Form.
David Grening: My question was asked; I just wanted to know his schedule. It sounds like you are working Tuesday and that would be great.
Gary Stute: Yeah, that's the plan.
David Grening: Thank you.
Operator: Once again, that is star 1 to ask a question. We will take our next question from Dan Johnson with the Des Moines Register.
Dan Johnson: Hi, thanks for being in on the call.
Gary Stute: Thank you.
Dan Johnson: Do you have a feel, you know, there was some talk about, you know, that Mine that Bird was on the rail were a little bit faster than the middle of the track, do you have any idea how much difference what was from where you horse was to maybe where Mine That Bird's footing was in the Derby?
Gary Stute: To be honest, I wouldn't have any idea. You know, Calvin Borel must have thought it was better cause he usually stays at the rail pretty, you know, and most of the races I have seen him ride through the years he knows that track better than anyone. But like I said, thank God there was nobody on the rail because as fast as that horse was going it would have been a train wreck cause ((inaudible)) like we were standing still.
Dan Johnson: OK thank you.
Operator: We will take a follow-up question from Scott Hazelton with HRTV.
Scott Hazelton: Hi Gary. I just wanted to follow-up with Rachel Alexandra, you talked about how you know you are unpleased that she going to be showing up there, to say the least, just for your chances, if it was announced right after the Oaks or the Derby that she was going to run in the Preakness, would that have changed your mind? Would you have looked elsewhere?
Gary Stute: I mean probably not just because it is the Preakness. If it would have been, you know, any race but a Triple Crown race, there would be probably a pretty good chance but like I said you only get one chance for the Derby, Preakness and Belmont and to be honest my stable I do not know if I will get too many other opportunities.
Scott Hazelton: Thank you, Gary.
Operator: And Mr. Wing, it appears we have no further questions.
Eric Wing: OK well Gary Stute, a terrific run by Papa Clem in the Kentucky Derby. And we wish you and your team the best of luck a week from Saturday in the Preakness Stakes and we appreciate very much you coming on the call with us.
Gary Stute: Thank you; I appreciate the call. Thank you.
Eric Wing: Thank you and good luck, Gary.
Gary Stute: OK.
Eric Wing: That was Gary Stute, the trainer of the fourth place Kentucky Derby finisher Papa Clem. Papa Clem owned by Bo Hirsch and named after Clement Hirsch and he will be going after the 134 Preakness in Baltimore a week from Saturday. Televised on NBC from 4:30 to 6:00 pm on Saturday May 16 and Anola, are we set with our second guest?
Operator: Not yet, we are still trying to dial out.
Eric Wing: OK. Our next guest will be when we do join him is David Fawkes. He will train Big Drama. Did not participate in the Kentucky Derby but he comes in with a streak of finishing first in six straight races. Of course in the most recent of those six, he was disqualified back to second in the Swale Stakes on Florida Derby Day at Gulfstream Park but he also won the very rich Delta Jackpot Stakes last year at Delta Downs.
We will talk to David Fawkes who is the first Preakness horse to have arrived at Pimlico and be settled in his stall there in the stakes barn at Old Hilltop. So will ask for you to just bear with us momentarily and as soon as we get David Fawkes on the line, we will resume with the call.
Operator: OK Mr. Fawkes has joined us.
Eric Wing: OK David, it's Eric Wing in New York. Thanks for coming aboard on the call with us today.
David Fawkes: How you doing?
Eric Wing: I am doing fine and how are you and how is your horse doing also?
David Fawkes: I am fine. The horse is doing super.
Eric Wing: Now I notice you are already there in Baltimore. You did the long van ride up. It seems to be way the travel these days. You did the long van ride up.
David Fawkes: ((inaudible)).
Eric Wing: From Florida, well you, were you on the van or did you fly?
David Fawkes: I, my wife is actually with the horse right now; she flew and then I am leaving tomorrow morning.
Eric Wing: Oh OK so you are still down in Florida and Big Drama is in Baltimore. First of all, can you talk about the decision to get him there nice and early? I know opinions differ among trainers on that.
David Fawkes: Well I kind of wanted to get him up there and let him get a breeze over that track. So with the shipping, I did not want to you know go right in there and ship like 2 days, or a couple days after. I wanted to give him a few extra days.
Eric Wing: OK David, your horse just has the one start in '09 so far but it was an excellent start; a track record performance in the Swale. He has had 7 weeks to recover; he may well come in the race with the fastest Beyer figure in the field, at least based on the last race. How big of an advantage do you think you have compared to the other horses who will be in the Preakness that had to run a tough race in the Derby?
David Fawkes: Well naturally, I think a fresh horse a lot of times has the advantage going into the Preakness. That's why we have seen so many spoilers of the Triple Crown. And this horse especially he does really well with time in between races.
The original first break that was from an injury but, you know, we decided we were thinking about the Withers and chose to sit still, possibly run in Texas or this race here. So that would have given me plenty of time in between races.
Eric Wing: Got it. David, I might ask you a question or two later but I want to give the media listening in their turn, so without any further ado, I will throw things back to Anola and we'll canvass the media to see what questions that might have.
David Fawkes: OK.
Operator: As a reminder that is star 1 to ask a question. We will go to Scott Hazelton with HRTV.
Scott Hazelton: Hey David. I heard you mention that you were considering the race at Lone Star, when was it that you decided hey we are going to go for the second jewel of the Triple Crown?
David Fawkes: Pretty much after watching the Derby.
Scott Hazelton: What was it…
David Fawkes: ((inaudible)) and again the horse had a very nice work on Monday so we kind of decided that would be the place to go.
Scott Hazelton: What was it about the Derby that you made you decide Preakness?
David Fawkes: Just kind of the way the whole picture kind of fell apart. You know, there was no outstanding horse. I mean yeah, the winner, he was impressive, but as far as all of the favorites, you know, they all had reasons for what happened.
Scott Hazelton: Gary Stute mentioned about the potential of the presence of Rachel Alexandra, what are your thoughts on that?
David Fawkes: To be honest, I would rather that she didn't show. Yeah, she's, as far as she can see, I mean she looks like a very nice horse. She is going to be really tough.
Scott Hazelton: OK thank you, David.
Operator: We will take our next question from Tom Pedulla with USA Today.
Tom Pedulla: Yes, David, I wanted to get your thoughts on the Derby winner. I mean do you just see that as product of circumstances I guess especially the wet track and so you got to see him do it again before you believe in that horse?
David Fawkes: Yeah, some. He, you know, he was a nice 2 year old. He was Canadian champion; I mean he's no bad horse. I think the race did set up well for him. Thought Calvin rode a smart ride.
Tom Pedulla: Do you need to see it again though?
David Fawkes: Yeah, I would like to see it again I think.
Tom Pedulla: OK thank you.
Operator: We'll take our next question from Ken Murray with Baltimore Sun.
Ken Murray: Hi Dave. I'm interested in how you see the shooters impacting, you being one of them obviously and maybe the prominent one, the shooters will impact, how the dynamic will come together with the shooters and the horses who are coming back from the Derby?
David Fawkes: I just think the fresh horses will probably be closer to the pace and you know and, I guess I, you know, the horses that are coming out of the Derby they look like they should run well back. I would have to think. What about Pioneerof the Nile? Is he going?
Ken Murray: Not yet.
David Fawkes: Not yet.
Ken Murray: Not yet.
David Fawkes: He is a nice horse, he could run very well.
Ken Murray: OK. Very good thank you.
Operator: We will take our next question from David Grening with Daily Racing Form.
David Grening: Hey David; how are you?
David Fawkes: Hey; how you doing?
David Grening: Good. Just your thoughts on your horse's ability to get the mile and 3/16?
David Fawkes: Well I mean, I assume there's some question of that. He just, you know, the horse hasn't done anything wrong yet. He's always gotten the distance we've asked him to get. You know, when he ran a mile, first mile and a 16 at deep race track; at Calder, he did it. We went to a bull ring at, you know, Delta Downs, he did that. I mean I probably would have got a race in between if I had more time, it just did not work out.
David Grening: And the biggest change you've seen in your horse from two to three?
David Fawkes: His maturity. You know, put some more weight on. You know, he's not a very complicated horse. You know and he is always, you know, like I said, anything we've asked him to do he has done. He's a very mature horse.
David Grening: Last question about the rider, were you at all surprised that Coa didn't ride you back and just thoughts on getting Johnny V.?
David Fawkes: Not really surprised. I mean I understand what he's got to do. And I think Johnny fits this horse really well, his riding style. When I got the opportunity to get him you know I thought he was going to be a perfect fit.
David Grening: OK and you plan to work your horse Monday?
David Fawkes: Yes.
David Grening: OK, thank you.
Operator: We will next to Don Jensen with St. Petersburg Times.
Don Jensen: Yes, David, thanks for being on, congratulations to Big Drama so far. Two part question ((inaudible)) being from the Tampa, St. Petersburg area here, can you first comment about his disappointment about not getting to the Derby and also secondly about his excitement about being in the Preakness?
David Fawkes: Well we have, you know, kind of early on, decided that we weren't going to go with the Derby being that it's always a full field and you know 20 horses and, you know, that can be kind of a rough trip and may knock a horse out for the season. Mr. Queen, being the breeder, kind of, you know, we had talked and he thought the best thing we'd do would be to give this horse a shot. You know, all summer long, you know, there's a lot of races in front of us and he wants to race the horse, you know, as an older horse.
As far as the Preakness goes, it's exciting to get a shot to go in there. I am really, you know, pleased the way that the Derby, you know, ran and gives me the opportunity to come in with a fresh horse.
Don Jensen: Thanks a lot David. Good luck next Saturday.
David Fawkes: Thank you.
Operator: We will take our next question from Kevin VanVelkenberg with Baltimore Sun.
Kevin VanVelkenberg: Hey David; thanks for joining us. I'm wondering, a lot of people have been singing the praise of Calvin, including even yourself earlier in the call, wonder if you could sort of speak to, you know, what makes Calvin such a good rider? Has he ever ridden any of your horses and sort of what, I guess how unique is it for a rider to have that much patience to be able to lay back like that, like he did?
David Fawkes: Well Calvin, personally, has never ridden for me but, you know, when I watch the race, he got shuffled back early and the one thing about Calvin is he always seems to the kind of, honest rider.
Kevin VanVelkenberg: Yes.
David Fawkes: Even if he is on a 50 to 1 shot, Calvin's gonna give you 100% every time and at least that is what it seems like on the outside. So I mean he's a very good, he is a good blue collar rider for those kind of guys that you know he will ride, I think he will ride hard for anybody.
Kevin VanVelkenberg: Is it pretty rare for a rider to have that much patience to be able to let, you know, to be able to let some you know let his horse go that far back?
David Fawkes: Well when he got shuffled back like that, I think it was a smart move just to sit there and, you know, see how the race develops. I do not think it is, you know, just, there's a lot of riders that would have that patience.
Kevin VanVelkenberg: OK.
David Fawkes: ((inaudible)).
Kevin VanVelkenberg: OK. Thanks.
Operator: As a reminder that's star 1 to ask a question. We will take our next question from Larry Bortstein with Orange County Register.
Larry Bortstein: Thanks Dave, congratulations on the season Big Drama's having so far and good luck at Baltimore. If this, it seems like you're saying Mine That Bird's victory was a bit of a fluke under the circumstances, if as expected, one of the favorites won the race, would you be as likely to run in the Preakness or would you pass it?
David Fawkes: Probably a little less likely. If a horse had jumped up and ran a huge race.
Larry Bortstein: So you're thinking that Mine That Bird, like you said earlier, you'd have to see that one again. Especially if (he) might lose his jockey if the filly runs, right?
David Fawkes: Yeah, exactly but you know then if the filly does run, then who does he ride?
Larry Bortstein: He's already said he'd ride the filly.
David Fawkes: He is riding the filly?
Larry Bortstein: Well, he said he preferred to ride her, yes.
David Fawkes: They're making a trainer change too.
Larry Bortstein: Say again, yes.
David Fawkes: They're making a trainer change.
Larry Bortstein: Well, we hadn't heard that…
David Fawkes: ((inaudible)) rider to ride the horse back
Larry Bortstein: Right. So if, what impact did the wet track have on the Derby do you think, David?
David Fawkes: Oh I think a lot. A lot of horses didn't seem to handle it very well. It looked like a group as a whole got very tired. ((inaudible)) hot pace early and that is why I think it set up well for the winner.
Larry Bortstein: OK thanks. Good luck to you in Baltimore.
David Fawkes: Thank you.
Operator: We will take our next question from Dan Johnson with Des Moines Register.
Dan Johnson: Hi you know your horse ran at Delta Downs one of the tracks that have been boosted with the slots, are were going to see more of the you know better horses now maybe taking unconventional routes to the Derby not the big races at the tracks that have you know casino gambling as the sport evolves?
David Fawkes: I think you're going to see it more and more that the people are, you know, actually looking for the bigger purses and maybe having better horses ((inaudible)) think they have. You know not necessarily, you will still see you know that have the big stables, with the you know the traditionally get, you know, the quality horses year after year and you know Keeneland and Churchill and New York for the prep where and you know now you may see a guy like myself or the other guy opportunity coming out of a race like the Delta Jackpot.
Dan Johnson: Do you think is it good then because there is more money now available to the horses or does the sport lose a little in that the real traditional races, the tracks, might lose a little bit of their prestige?
David Fawkes: I do not think they lose their prestige as much. I do not think, I think slots are kind of a band-aide anyway so I do not think they lose their prestige.
Dan Johnson: You do not think the slots are the savior of racing?
David Fawkes: No.
Dan Johnson: OK thank you.
Operator: We will take our next question from Ken Murray with Baltimore Sun.
Ken Murray: David, is there a story to the name Big Drama?
David Fawkes: If there is, I don't know it.
Ken Murray: Oh you don't? Harold never enlightened you on that?
David Fawkes: No.
Ken Murray: No OK. All right, too bad, thank you.
David Fawkes: OK.
Operator: Well next is a follow-up from Scott Hazelton, HRTV.
Scott Hazelton: David, just another follow-up to the Rachel Alexandrar/Pioneerof the Nile comment you made, you said that you were if Pioneerof the Nile or one of the bigger horses would have ended up winning the Derby you might have looked elsewhere, just like I asked Gary Stute when he was on, if she would have committed herself to the Preakness say in the weekend following her Oaks win, would you have looked elsewhere with her knowing that she was going to the Preakness?
David Fawkes: Probably because with her running style, you know, I think she would, she may you know hurt maybe our, for example, hurt our chances.
Scott Hazelton: Does she scare you more than any other colt in the country?
David Fawkes: Yes.
Scott Hazelton: Have you ever see a filly like this?
David Fawkes: Not in recent years. And again not take anything away from her, you know, if she runs you know it seems like a lot of people duck her. So she hasn't, I do not know if she, she is caught the best horses yet. You know I could be wrong I mean it seems like you know like the other day ((inaudible)) on the race you know kind of soften that field for her. And it made it awfully easy for her to go around there. I think sometimes when it is really easy for them they look more visually impressive.
Scott Hazelton: Thank you, David.
Operator: And Mr. Wing, it appears we have no further questions.
Eric Wing: All right, well, David Fawkes, I really want to thank you for taking the time out of your Thursday to talk a little Big Drama with us. And we wish you and your horse the best of luck on the 16th in the Preakness and hope for a long and productive campaign thereafter. Thanks again, David.
David Fawkes: Thank you. Have a good one.
Eric Wing: Thank you, you too. That's David Fawkes, the trainer of Big Drama. As we mentioned, he finished first in six consecutive races, comes out of the Swale Stakes at 7 furlongs, a race in which he finished first but was disqualified to second behind This Ones for Phil and he will certainly be one of the horse to beat on Preakness day.
And now will go to our third and final guest today. He has had a whirlwind win 5 or 6 days, probably the rival of any 6 day period any of us are ever going to have in our lives. We are happy to have him on. The trainer of Mine That Bird, Chip Woolley. It is Eric Wing in New York, thanks for being with us.
Chip Woolley: Yes sir.
Eric Wing: Chip, first of all, you know normally, at this time on Thursday after the Derby, we would still be basking in the afterglow of the great victory, but a lot of news has been made over the past 16 to 24 hours regarding the sale of Rachel Alexandra to Jess Jackson. The possibility being put out there the she might run in the Preakness and if so who would ride her, what do you know about all of this at this point?
Chip Woolley: At this point, I know about as much as you do. I've visited with Calvin's agent and at this time, they know nothing and so we are just waiting to see what is going to happen really.
Eric Wing: OK and by the way, I just wanted to clear up something that was said earlier with David Fawkes and one of our questioners who was refereeing to a trainer change…He was referring to the trainer change of Rachel Alexandra to Steve Asmussen. No trainer change of course regarding Mine That Bird and I am sure that Chip is very pleased about that. But Chip, putting all the human drama aside, how is Mine That Bird been doing these 5 days and do you think he can fire big again in Baltimore?
Chip Woolley: I believe he will fire again. The horse is doing super. He bounced back really quick from the race. We've had him to the race track everyday; the only day he has walked was Sunday. He's just really bouncing and really on his game so. If he makes the trip to Baltimore in good shape, I expect him to fire real good.
Eric Wing: And one last question, Chip, before I through it to the media; you know, with all this jockey controversy, you have come across to everybody as a very calm and collected person. Does this jockey controversy does it, are you disappointed by it, does it make you angry or what?
Chip Woolley: Oh I hate the situation that we, Calvin's going to be in if it happens and but the fact of the matter is, is it is part of the business, I can't blame him if he wants to ride that mare. I don't blame him at all. And he's got the call on my horse right up till he makes his own decision and he's a big portion of the reason I am where I am at. So we are really glad for the job he did for us. We are very happy with and whatever happens is what is going to happen and I wish him the very best because you know I would not be here without him.
Eric Wing: Very good. All right, Chip, I am going to through things back over now to our announcer, Anola, and she'll check in with the media to see if they have any questions for you.
Operator: Once again, ladies and gentlemen, that is star 1 to ask a question. We will take our next question from Scott Hazelton, HRTV.
Scott Hazelton: Chip, you commented on the fact that you talked to Jerry Hissam and they do not know really what the situation is right now, but it is obviously at the forefront right now that he could ride the filly, have you thought about a back up plan or spoken to any other jockey's agents?
Chip Woolley: I have had calls from numerous agents and I have in my mind I have a back up plan but I'm not going to make comment to that until I find out what Calvin's going to do because like I said Calvin has the call.
Scott Hazelton: So you have one person in mind that could pick up the mount if Calvin goes...
Chip Woolley: No, a couple.
Scott Hazelton: A couple. And also the day after the Derby you were, you made the comment that you said that you felt no obligation to run in the Preakness and your plan was to run in the Derby and then run in the Belmont thereafter, what was it that changed your mind over the course of those days or hours?
Chip Woolley: You know, we were cautious about the colt, we wanted to make sure he was OK. He bounced back good; he looked good and has trained well. And once you are the Derby winner, you have to look out for the good of the sport. And as long as a horse is 100%, I think the Derby winner needs to run in the Preakness to keep the, Triple Crown is a good program and to keep it alive and keep the nation watching.
You know, you got to have a Derby winner in the Preakness to keep it alive, so that did way into our decision making and the one thing was the horse came first. And as long as he is healthy and doing good, we'll be running.
Scott Hazelton: One last question, Chip, did you feel pressure from anywhere anyone aside from your owners to run?
Chip Woolley: No, not any at all and the owner is no pressure either. They said the horse is good, we will go, if he is not, we will not. Plain and simple.
Scott Hazelton: Thank you, Chip.
Chip Woolley: Yes, sir.
Operator: We will go next to Van Cushny with Prime Media.
Van Cushny: Yes, congratulations on your Derby victory, Chip. Your horse looked fitter than all the other Derby starters and I attribute that to the fact that you typically galloped Mine That Bird 2 miles most days while other Derby horses did not gallop that far. My questions are how much of a role, if any, do you think the muddy track at Churchill Downs played in the outcome of the Derby and if the track comes up fast for the Preakness will it alter your strategy or Mine That Bird drop out the back door and make one late run again?
Chip Woolley: We will definitely lay back and make one late run regardless of the racing surface.
Van Cushny: OK.
Chip Woolley: I'm sure that mud may have played some factor in the horse's win here at Churchill. You know, the pace was awfully fast and it was getting a little bit sticky on top. And the combination of those things you know it was bring them back. But you watch the replays as you know I have watched it 1000 times by now, those horses on the lead, the horse that run second, third and fourth, they never quit. Those horses did not quit. There were getting tired but they did not quit you know so I do not think it played a huge factor but I'm sure it played a small factor in my horse finishing so well because he had taken it so easy on the front end.
Van Cushny: Thank you.
Chip Woolley: Yes, sir.
Operator: We will to next to Tim Wilkins with Albany Times Union.
Tim Wilkins: Chip, can you talk a little bit about Calvin and how he fits this horse? I mean it has only been the one time.
Chip Woolley: You could see when you bring the horse here that he fit him very good. And he is, Calvin is patient you know. He all the time says you know Carl Nafzger taught me to run a quarter of a mile and I mean that is what his horse has been begging for, I thought his whole career. And I finally got that ride, and he is also such a no fear rider; he just, he will go in any crack if there is a crack there he is in it. And you know that played a huge part when we got through on the rail and the turn and again in stretch he went in on the rail and passed the horse and then come out and went around one and then right to the rail, slipped through them in the race. And he is just a, they just go together like bread and butter.
Tim Wilkins: Now if the filly does go, do you welcome that?
Chip Woolley: I think any man would be a fool to welcome that filly coming. She's tough and you know, am I craving to run against her? No but if she is there, we will try to beat her if if can. As much as anything, I don't want to go if she's taking my rider I guess,But we'll just have to wait and see what happens.
Tim Wilkins: Thank you, Chip.
Chip Woolley: Yes sir.
Operator: We will go next Larry Bortstein with Orange County Register.
Larry Bortstein: Yes, Chip, congratulations on the Derby. Two questions. What is the biggest race you ever won (thoroughbreds or quarter horse) before this victory and how many horses do you have in your barn and are you at, is your base at Sunland Park?
Chip Woolley: Yes, sir, my base is, it is not really Sunland, just at all the race tracks in New Mexico.
Larry Bortstein: Yes.
Chip Woolley: The majority of my year is spent at Sunland and the biggest race I win I do not know it might have been quarter horses races but I've won a few futurities and a few Derbies and lots of handicaps. Which one was the biggest? I have a hard time remembering right now.
Larry Bortstein: Money wise…
Chip Woolley: I can't remember nothing but the Kentucky Derby.
Larry Bortstein: Right.
Chip Woolley: I win a couple $200 and $300 thousand dollar races.
Larry Bortstein: How many horses do you have in your barn right now?
Chip Woolley: I think at Farmington, I've got 24 I believe up there now. We switched some in and out last week.
Larry Bortstein: Thoroughbreds or quarter horses?
Chip Woolley: Mostly thoroughbreds but I got a handful of quarter horses. I won a quarter horse race the day after the Derby.
Larry Bortstein: Last thing, Chip. There is some indication David Fawkes was on the line before you said that a couple of trainers, some trainers apparently wouldn't run in the Preakness if one of the supposed Derby favorites had won the race but because you won and your horse won, they are more likely to take a shot is that kind of diminishing your horses in their eyes or he won the race after all by 6 3/4 lengths but yet they are giving him a sort of a slight, like it's a fluke; how do you react to that?
Chip Woolley: Oh I do not mind that too much. You know, my horse's form didn't say he could win the Derby; I will be the first to say that you know but he passed 18 head of horses from the 3/8 pole to the wire that were all Grade 1 horses, so…
Larry Bortstein: Right.
Chip Woolley: … you know, I do not know that it was fluke but I guess we'll find out down the road.
Larry Bortstein: How is your leg doing?
Chip Woolley: My leg is a little sore but it is doing OK.
Larry Bortstein: Still on crutches right?
Chip Woolley: Yes, sir, I am going to be for awhile.
Larry Bortstein: OK thanks good luck in Baltimore.
Chip Woolley: Thank you.
Operator: We will go next to Ken Murray, Baltimore Sun.
Ken Murray: Chip, couple questions if I could. First are you concerned about any of any of the shooters that are coming in, the fact that they are fresh does any of that bother you? Or do you think your horses are in such good condition that it should not be a factor?
Chip Woolley: That part does't really bother me much. Looks likes the pace will be there and that will help my horse probably.
Ken Murray: OK. When are you coming in Baltimore?
Chip Woolley: I will be in there probably Tuesday evening as we got scheduled right now.
Ken Murray: OK. And lastly how much did last Saturday change your life in this short week?
Chip Woolley: Oh it has been a considerable change and I told them I came in here asking for autographs and left here signing them so, it has changed things considerably and it is kind of something you really could never be prepared for. I mean you, there's nothing in your life that could prepare you for something like that and it has been enjoyable and hard at the same time, but you know.
Ken Murray: Can you give an example of a couple things that maybe have happened to you that would not have you know…
Chip Woolley: Well like I'm talking about signing autographs, people running up to you and wanting to take pictures with you and your phone ringing 6,000 times a day or so is just some of the things. It is just really you know it has made your life much more hectic and but at the same time it is enjoyable. I mean you know you just wake up every morning thinking man I won the Derby. And that is a major thing you know.
Ken Murray: Yes. Great thanks, Chip.
Operator: Will the next is Ron Flatter, ESPN radio.
Ron Flatter: Chip, since this is a small horse, what kind of impact do you think that his size does for him or against him going into the Preakness? Kind of talk about that a little bit.
Chip Woolley: Well I don't think it has any effect either way. All horses are equal as far as how they come back from racing. Big horses do not seem to come back much better than little horses. So I believe he is fit and ready and I don't think that will really have much effect.
Like I said going in the Derby, the only effect that bothers me about the small horse is if you get in a bump and banging match which the Derby can be like I got bumped and banged leaving there and get spit out the back you know and a horse like him is not going to take a lot of that because there is, they just cannot stand up to it. But…
Ron Flatter: ((inaudible)).
Chip Woolley: ((inaudible)).
Ron Flatter: ((inaudible)).
Chip Woolley: Go ahead.
Ron Flatter: I am sorry was that I ((inaudible)) getting interrupted signal there, was that his big reason, his size for keeping him back at the back of the pack as much as anything else?
Chip Woolley: Oh no, sir, we had planned on laying him back I said along that that is where the horse needed to be to maximize his finish and it, I mean we had planned on being well back you know 12, 15 lengths off the lead so, the bumping and banging just put him that much further out of it but it didn't really have anything to do with his size, it was just the way we kind of set up our plan to run.
Ron Flatter: I believe Mr. Allen's original plan before winning the Derby was to hold him out the 5 weeks for the Belmont Stakes, does that necessarily mean that if does not win the Preakness that he would not go to the Belmont stakes?
Chip Woolley: No absolutely not. The Belmont's a better venue for the horse and I mean we were just mapping out, originally had just mapping out the venue for the horse because we thought he would want, would like the mile and half; his Daddy win it and as we showed here in the Derby that you know when you stretch it out to a mile and a half in the Derby, he'd have won by a quarter of a mile. So, he I just think that it fit him better and than of course when you get the win in the Derby, it kind of changed focus a little bit and the horse came back good so we are ready to go and we'll plan on going to the Belmont on after the Preakness, win or lose you know at this point.
Ron Flatter: Thank you, Chip.
Chip Woolley: Yes, sir.
Operator: We will take our next question from Kevin VanVelkenberg with Baltimore Sun.
Kevin VanVelkenberg: Chip, I am wondering if you could expand a little bit more about what you sort of admire about Calvin skills as a jock and just why exactly you felt like he was such the perfect fit when you saw that he came available for your horse?
Chip Woolley: The main thing is like I said Calvin is patience. I mean he likes to ride from behind and he likes to save your horse. You know, he doesn't want to ride him up in there and keep him in the thick of the race. He likes to kind of settle him back and pick his own way and so that was kind of a ride that I was looking for in the Derby mainly, but I don't know I cannot explain it when you watch the horse work under him, he just looks like he, they go together I mean they are just like they are in time together.
And then in the race, Calvin just has that no fear style of riding that, I mean, if there is a smallest seam, he will jump in it (now) and I mean that, I that is the kind of rider I like and that is the kind of ride I like and also if he can save ground he saves ground and the shortest way around there's on the fence so, it you know it really plays a major part in and it definitely played a huge part of us winning the Derby, I mean there's just no, I really admire the guy and there is just no way you can thank him enough for the job he has done because you know those two, the two shots he took on the fence I mean he literally hit the fence the last time through there and stretch and most guys wouldn't have ridden up in that hole when that is just the way he is and if he would've ((inaudible)) and went around, it might have changed the outcome of the Derby.
Kevin VanVelkenberg: Had you met him before when he came to ride the horse on Monday or whatever?
Chip Woolley: I had met him before long time ago at Oaklawn but as far as having ever been on a horse before or anything like that, no sir.
Kevin VanVelkenberg: He seems to be pretty much loved in the sport; is has that always been your impression of the way people just sort of like him as a person as well?
Chip Woolley: You bet; if you get around him, you cannot dislike him. He is such an animated guy and he's happy and he's the hardest working guy you have ever seen. He come out the day after the Derby and worked ((inaudible)) and cleaned some stalls and help mud horses. I mean this guy is a workaholic. And you got to love him.
Kevin VanVelkenberg: Thanks Chip.
Operator: Will the next is Jennie Rees with Louisville Courier-Journal.
Jennie Rees: Thanks Chip, first a quick question. Have you ever seen a rider that is 40 or older take the shots that Calvin Borel's taken, like you said the cracks?
Chip Woolley: No, ma'am, it's amazing that a guy at his age is still as daring and as fearless as he is. You know if you looked at his arm and where he broke it so badly and they plated it, pinned it and screwed it, you know, you think some of those things would be haunting him by now but he just has none of that in him. He likes the fence and if it is there he is going to take it and make you eat it because he's going to win and he's going to steadily win.
Jennie Rees: Yes, also can you just comment on the big year New Mexico racing has had with Peppers Pride last year and then also the reaction you are getting from back home from the race tracks and the horse people and the fans?
Chip Woolley: Oh it's been a huge year for New Mexico racing of course and with Peppers Pride, Joel Marr done a great job with that mare managing her career. She, I mean there's never been a horse showed up every single time and never had a miss. And it is amazing that she did that and the job Joel done was great.
But it also put New Mexico back on the map. I mean we got great purses. At Sunland and Zia we have super good purses and we've improved our livestock through the, so much has been made of my low win percentage and part of that is because everybody in that county has improved their livestock so much and I went in there with some tired used horses and cause I'd win stakes in the fall right before we went to Sunland and we just, some of the horses were tired and used and tired when we got there but everybody is upping the quality of their stock down there and so it just getting better and better you know and then like my horse got beat twice there, which I don't think he should've been beaten but he did. And it is, New Mexico is having a huge year and of course when I go, whatever point in time I get to go home, when I go home it is going to be a pretty celebratory thing I am sure when I get back there.
Jennie Rees: Oh I mean what are you hearing from maybe track management at the different tracks and have you heard a lot from the fans?
Chip Woolley: Yes, I have heard from 100s of people and everybody that does not owe me money I have heard from, so…
Jennie Rees: Yes.
Chip Woolley: … it's going to be fantastic and like the management, they are all thanking me for putting the stamp on New Mexico racing you know and some of the parks people called and they said, one thing about it now, if that race does not get graded, this is politics, this is not racing. I mean, you got a Grade 2 come out of that race and a Grade 1 come out of it and now that the people at that grade these races have to really take a long look and say look we got give this a grade and this should be, they shouldn't even start as a Grade 3, it ought to be a Grade 2. There's enough money there and there's no doubt about the quality horse that came out of this year.
Jennie Rees: Thanks a lot.
Chip Woolley: And I've heard from every management has called me of course and congratulated and I told them well now maybe I can get as many stalls as I need. But we'll see what happens.
Jennie Rees: Of course. One other thing, is the tack speed favoring at Sunland explaining perhaps why an Advice would get beat there and your horse would get beat there and then come back and runs so big, is that an accurate portrayal of Sunland's main track? Is it speed biased?
Chip Woolley: Yes, there is no doubt Sunland's track is speed biased. It is a really fast race track but that is not an excuse for my horse. The fact is that my horse, we didn't, in the race, set him up and give him a chance to win. We moved him too early, he moved too early and made the lead at the wrong time. He made the lead heading for home and he's already been set down half a mile run at that point and there was no chance he could finish and the time before was the same thing, he had been off for 4 months and they set him down at the half mile pole and he makes the lead and he cannot hold it and both times it was nothing but just moving too early and Advice kind of a bad trip. I am not going to make excuse for somebody's else horse but he did have a bad trip in the Sunland Derby, got away kind of bad and bobbled around and with the speed bias of that race track, you sure can get too far behind there because if you do, you got a major obstacle to overcome.
Jennie Rees: Thanks a lot, Chip.
Chip Woolley: Yes, ma'am.
Operator: We will take our next question from Dan Farley with Racing Post.
Dan Farley: Yes, I was wondering everybody talks about how small his horse is have you actually measured and weighed him?
Chip Woolley: No, sir, I have not and I mean he's small but he is not like he's tiny; I mean he is just probably I am guessing he could be 15/1 or 15/2 you know he is not little bitty horse he just…
Dan Farley: That's about average.
Chip Woolley: ((inaudible)).
Dan Farley: ((inaudible)).
Chip Woolley: Not a big stand up, stout, big horse like, something like Zenyatta would be. I mean he's just kind of a small to medium size horse and he's but I mean that kind of me calling him a little horse kind of got blown out of portion he is not really that small.
Dan Farley: I mean it looks like he has got real good balance and he is a nice moving animal. ((inaudible)).
Chip Woolley: ((inaudible)) has been, go ahead.
Dan Farley: I am sorry.
Chip Woolley: You are all right.
Dan Farley: I was wondering in the Breeders' Cup, just looking his line did you see anything in the race that would have caused him to run like he did? I mean every time before when people under estimated him he jumped up and won and at a fairly good price but in the Breeders' Cup, he looked like he was sitting in a pretty good spot and just spit it out was ((inaudible)).
Chip Woolley: ((inaudible)).
Dan Farley: ((inaudible)) there?
Chip Woolley: I would like to get this out. I am glad you asked this question. First of all, I have told everybody and I have never seen it make, printed in the media, we, looking, back at the Breeders' Cup, we made a major mistake. We bought the colt too close to the Breeders' Cup and we bought that horse like I am going to say less than a week before the Breeders', about a week before the Breeders' Cup when we purchased him and we had to transport him by trailer to Lexington, put him on an airplane and fly him and he got to Mandella about 5 days before the race, he had to put a breeze into him the very day he got there and we, now when I saw we, I am talking about myself and his owners gave him to Mandella who was doing this as a favor to us because I did not have time to make all the arrangements to get myself out there. And this horse's misfire had nothing to do with Mr. Mandella, it was strictly our own doing. We tried to push it and it was mistake.
Looking back, we should have never run him up there. He got out there and it was 100 degrees nearly out there on the race track and he had no chance to recover from the trip and I wanted, I do want it on record that Mr. Mandella had nothing to do with that. That it was just bad timing and we did not give the horse really an opportune chance to do his best and then he also kind, he got a wide trip all the way around then and I mean he was in the thick of the race until the last 8th of a mile. I mean he turned for home he not but maybe two to three lengths from the lead you know and but he was wide in both turns and come up empty in stretch but the fact of the matter is looking back, we should have never sent him in and we should have skipped it.
Dan Farley: In the 4 months between the Breeders' Cup and his first race at Sunland, I mean the horse shows like, the horse shows he has some natural speed about him it looks like to me. If he can ((inaudible)) second start when he broke his maiden for a tag, I mean he was close to fast pace there and finished out in decent time, was there, how does he take his training and what did you try to do with him in that 4 months after ready to come back?
Chip Woolley: Well he trains super, the horse does. You know, we turned him soon as the Breeders' Cup was over we turned him out for 6 weeks. And then I got him back up and put him in training and you know train him like you do any horse, but he came back really quick. He was dead ready the first time we started him I mean like I said I do not have any excuse other than an early move cost him winning that race and he's not hard horse to get fit; he's kind of lean muscled anyway so he got fit quickly. He trains so good, the horse, he's not hard on himself. He's got a big, long gallop and when you ask him to work, he will sit down and work. I worked him twice prior to the Sunland Derby and the sure enough make him work and get him fit but he, overall the horse went in the and he was ready to win that day.
Dan Farley: Will he take himself back on his own I mean if after does it help if he like in the Derby where Calvin really didn't have that much of a choice?
Chip Woolley: No he'll come right back to you early. He's real laid back, he doesn't, he's no run away by no means. He'll settle back easily. In the Sunland Derby, Casey had him; when they hit the 3/4 pole, he is eight or nine from the lead then and I mean he was in the perfect spot for him then and then Casey just let him move up some you know but he will settle back very easily.
Dan Farley: OK well thank you.
Chip Woolley: Yes, sir.
Operator: We will go next to Larry Stumes with San Francisco Chronicle.
Larry Stumes: Hey Chip congratulations. A couple of questions. One is what attracted the owners and you to buy this horse?
Chip Woolley: Actually there was, we, Mark and I had been looking for a horse for the Sunland Derby is what we were really, this horse was purchased for the Sunland Derby. We were just looking all over the country. I had looked at close 100 horses probably and by the time we, how we found this colt was Taylor Made agency and Whispering Oaks out here in Kentucky was in touch with these people and told us this horse was for sale. And so Mark called me on the phone said hey I want you to look up these races. So I watched the colts run in all these races at that point. I called Mark back and said I like him, I went to go look at him so I flew to Canada and watch the horse train for about 3 days and really, just really studied the horse all I could and I called Mark back and said man I really like this colt. I think he's probably worth the money. And he said well if you like him, buy him, so I bought him and he vetted perfectly and we brought him back.
Larry Stumes: Second part of the question you mentioned you had alluded to the fact that going into the Derby, your record in '09 was 1 for 32, but I have to assume that that is not the kind of trainer you are and you did mention that you won a lot of races in '08, could you just kind of tell us how you know what kind of success you had in '08 compared to kind of a lack of success here until the Derby?
Chip Woolley: Yeah, I had had a pretty decent year in '08. I went by ((inaudible)) in '08 and I had ((inaudible)) I ended the year like 18% for the year so it wasn't too bad but this spring, we just got off to a slow start; my racing luck was horrible. Had several times that I was right there to win and I do not win and run a bunch of seconds and thirds that were just you know just were nods from winning. And just had a rough go you know so everybody goes through it I do not care if you are the biggest or the smallest guy, you'll get in a position at times when you are racing luck is not good and you're not going to win.
Larry Stumes: I guess that luck kind of changed last Saturday?
Chip Woolley: It seems like I turned it around. I win that one Saturday and the very next day on Sunday, I win another one at Farmington, but…
Larry Stumes: I saw that, yes.
Chip Woolley: So I guess we got it turned around maybe.
Larry Stumes: Thank you.
Chip Woolley: Yes, sir.
Operator: We will take our next question from Van Cushny with Prime Media.
Van Cushny: Yes, Chip, was the plan all along for you to get Mine That Bird after the Breeders' Cup? And if not, why was the horse transferred to you from Mandella?
Chip Woolley: Yes, the plan was along was for him to come back to me. The only reason we did what we did was because it was so close to the Breeders' Cup there was no way that I could ((inaudible)) made for me to get back from Canada, I got the horse shipped, me to get back from Canada and get all the stuff that I needed to go to California and meet the horse out there, there was just no way to get all the arrangements made.
So we called Dick and he agreed to handle the horse for us out there which we appreciate very much and he was, I mean we put him in a no win position by shipping the horse out to him that close and we just appreciate the fact that he helped us out and the plan was along, like I said the horse was purchased to run in the Sunland Derby and matter of fact he just kind of fell into the Breeders' Cup deal, he was on the cusp outside looking in. Kind of like we were early on in this Derby running. And the horse come out and it moved him into it, so it really had nothing to do with Mr. Mandela, I mean he did it as a favor to us and I think he has got a little bit of a bad rap because the horse didn't fire well but it was our doing, not his.
Van Cushny: I see. Did you ever ask David Cotey why they gelded Mine That Bird?
Chip Woolley: No, sir, I did not. I visit with David every now and then and he has wished us nothing but well and we, I have no clue. I never even asked but if you look at the horse, he is just truly not a stud prospect. I mean, he is very well balanced but is not real correct and he is probably, you know, I do not think anybody would have looked at him as a stud prospect probably. I mean now yes after he has won the Derby you look back and say ((inaudible)) but that is kind of a little late to be looking back.
Van Cushny: Sure hind sight is always 20/20. Best of luck to you in the Preakness.
Chip Woolley: Thank you, sir.
Operator: We will move next to Ken Murray, Baltimore Sun.
Ken Murray: Last thing, Chip, is there anything out of the ordinary that would cause you to change your mind about coming to Baltimore? I mean the Preakness was not in the plans and it took awhile, you are not going to bring him until Tuesday, is there anything out of the ordinary that might change you mind?
Chip Woolley: Absolutely not. As long as this horse trains like he is training right now, we are coming.
Ken Murray: OK, great thanks.
Chip Woolley: Yes, sir.
Operator: Well next is Dan Johnson with The Des Moines Register.
Dan Johnson: Hi congratulations on the Derby win. I was going to ask something similar to what Jennie asked you about, what is the impact as you look at the slot machines and the increased purses and New Mexico racing and are there any set goals of what you know what you think people in your region think you know Mexico, New Mexico could have as far as being a race, you know, state of power.
Chip Woolley: I think probably New Mexico is as good as it will ever be right now. You would have to expand gaming a considerable amount to improve it any more because they have got a lot of Indian casinos and that type of stuff, they are surrounded by them, so the best thing for Sunland Park and Zia is they're the 2 farthest from the Indian casinos. So they do a little bit better than the rest.
But I don't think you could see them bigger. I think they're maxed out pretty close to what they are going to produce. I know that right up toward the end of Sunland, revenues were down of course due to the economy and whatnot, but I do not think you are going to see them become any more of a power than they are right now. I just think they have been under the radar a little too long and that nobody has realized how good it is down there.
Dan Johnson: I cover Prairie Meadows; they also had slot machines starting in '95 and there are looking at now what their racing product should be. There is a lot of debate with people having different ideas of where it should be for the locals, for the breeders, for you know for the, to attract big stables. Was there any sort of that debate for Sunland or was everybody pretty much on the same page from day one?
Chip Woolley: I think in New Mexico we were all on the same page from day one. We got a cut for the breeders, we got everything in line prior to getting the slot machines. Of course, we have seen you know some other states mistakes and by the time we got ours we had really had everything on one page. We went as a group, the horseman, management, everybody together and drafted this in a way to be beneficial to everybody involved. Including the state. The state gets a very, very healthy chunk.
Dan Johnson: Yes, when you say you looked at other states, did you guys ever look at how Prairie Meadows in Iowa doing or did you think it was anything you know…
Chip Woolley: That was one …
Dan Johnson: ((inaudible)). Pardon me.
Chip Woolley: One of the ones that we watched was them and we got a bigger cut to the horsemen than anybody else that got up to that point. And I do not know about anything since but…
Dan Johnson: Yes.
Chip Woolley: … but it was very well drafted and it has been very beneficial to all aspect of the industry in New Mexico.
Dan Johnson: Great, thank you very much.
Chip Woolley: Yes sir.
Operator: As a reminder it is star 1 to ask a question. We will go next to Dan Farley with Racing Post.
Dan Farley: This is really a question for Eric, could, I don't know if anybody has brought it up, but everybody talks about that filly might be going into Preakness but she would have to be supplemented and it is my understanding that if you got 14 who want to run that have already been nominated to the race, that she can't get in it. Is that correct?
Eric Wing: Well I will try to answer that. That is correct, Dan. Tthere are gradations of qualification levels unlike the Derby. The first being graded stakes earnings, the second being stakes earnings of any kind in unrestricted races and at the bottom of the list are horses not nominated to the Triple Crown so should she be entered and 14 others be entered, she would have the absolute lowest priority.
Operator: Mr. Wing, it appears we have no further questions.
Eric Wing: OK Chip, I just have two quick questions of my own before we let you go. Number 1, while there maybe some out there who think it was a fluke that Mine That Bird won and they are excited to take a shot at you guys in the Preakness, could that turn out to be a good thing for your horse in that it might help insure a more lively pace than would be the case if only 6 or 7 ran?
Chip Woolley: Yes, sir, I do believe that and I will see how that it sets up. It is kind of interesting the way things are ((inaudible)) shaping up right now.
Eric Wing: And lastly, Chip, how many copies of Sports Illustrated have you signed so far?
Chip Woolley: I have not even seen one yet, so I'm looking forward to seeing one.
Eric Wing: OK it should be out there in Lousiville now. It arrived in New York mailboxes yesterday so I'm sure you will be seeing them soon. Well Chip, I want to thank you for you coming on the call today. I hope your recent turn in good luck continues on at least for another 10 days or so and wish you and your team and of course Mine That Bird the best of luck in the 134 Preakness Stakes.
Chip Woolley: Thank you, sir.
Eric Wing: Thank you. That is Chip Woolley, the Kentucky Derby winning trainer of Mine That Bird and the Bird will be back in Baltimore scheduled to van over Tuesday, this coming Tuesday and of course the Preakness live on NBC from 4:30 to 6:00 pm on Saturday, May 16.
Well that will be an end to today's call. I want to thank all three of your guest, Gary Stute, David Fawkes and Chip Woolley also want to thank is always our producer her in New York, Joan Lawrence and our announcer, Anola.
Our next NTRA national media teleconference will come to you on Thursday, May 28; Thursday, May 28 and at that time, we will be taking an in-depth look at the Belmont stake. So remember the transcript and podcast will be up on NTRA.com tomorrow. Glad you could be part of today's call and hope you can do so again on May 28.
Thank you very much.
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 | | • Countdown to the Breeders' Cup - Oct. 28, 2009 | | • Countdown to the Breeders' Cup - Oct. 6, 2009 | | • Countdown to the Breeders' Cup - Sept. 29, 2009 | | • NTRA Summer Racing - September 15, 2009 | | • NTRA Summer Racing - September 1, 2009 | | • NTRA Summer Racing - August 25, 2009 | | • NTRA Summer Racing - August 18, 2009 | | • NTRA Summer Racing - August 11, 2009 | | • NTRA Summer Racing - August 3, 2009 | | • NTRA Summer Racing - July 28, 2009 | | • NTRA Summer Racing - July 22, 2009 | | • Road to the Triple Crown - May 28, 2009 | | • Road to the Triple Crown - May 7, 2009 | | • Road to the Triple Crown - April 21, 2009 | | • Road to the Triple Crown - April 7, 2009 | | MORE TELECONFERENCES |
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